Hepatosplenic antracosilicosis: a rare cause of splenic calcifications

Eur Radiol. 2001;11(7):1184-6. doi: 10.1007/s003300000717.

Abstract

A case of a 62-year-old man with known longstanding pulmonary antracosilicosis, with associated hepatosplenic antracosilicosis, is presented. A CT scan of the upper abdomen revealed multiple calcifications within the spleen, and to a lesser degree within the subcapsular region of the liver, as well as "egg-shell" calcifications of abdominal lymph nodes, most noticeable at the splenic hilum. Although histopathologically not proven, the similar appearance of the calcified hepatosplenic nodules to the small round calcifications scattered throughout the lungs, as well as the typical "egg-shell" morphology of the calcified abdominal lymph nodes, should raise the suspicion of hepatosplenic antracosilicosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anthracosilicosis / complications*
  • Anthracosilicosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Calcinosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Calcinosis / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Liver Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Diseases / etiology*
  • Lymph Nodes / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiography, Abdominal
  • Splenic Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Splenic Diseases / etiology*